9 Thrilling Noctourism Experiences in the West

As travelers seek novel experiences while escaping crowds and high temperatures, many are turning to the rising trend of “noctourism”—exploring the world at night. When the sun goes down, the moon casts a mystical glow over the landscape, nocturnal creatures emerge from hiding, fluorescent phenomena fascinate, and celestial spectacles light up the sky. Get a new perspective on the West with these nine nighttime activities, including bioluminescent boat tours, full moon horseback rides, blacklit scorpion safaris, and a nostalgic neon encounter.  

Alaska

Awe at the aurora borealis.

The sun is currently in its solar maximum, which means this fall and winter are expected to bring spellbinding sightings of the northern lights. For some of the best viewing opportunities, head to Fairbanks. Nearly every night, Fairbanks Aurora Tours offers aurora-chasing photography excursions, including a workshop on how to capture spectacular images of the neon green and purple swirls. Northeast of Fairbanks at Chena Hot Springs Resort, steam in a natural hot springs lake while marveling at the dynamic light display above. 

Arizona 

Search for scorpions and nocturnal creatures.

No one knows for sure why scorpions fluoresce blue-green when exposed to UV light. Some scientists think it helps the arachnids see with their entire bodies under the faint glimmer of the moon and stars. To witness this freaky sight, bring a blacklight flashlight on guided scorpion safaris around the Phoenix area. The tours are offered at several Maricopa County parks, from the White Tank Mountains to Spur Cross Ranch to Usery Mountain. During Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, listen to the bizarre croaks of nocturnal toads in the ponds, watch weird insects congregate on backlit sheets, and say hello to friendly snakes and spiders at critter-meeting stations.

Northern California 

Kayak in a bioluminescent bay. 

On many summer and fall nights, the waters of Tomales Bay at Point Reyes National Seashore flicker with an oceanic galaxy of blue lights. The phenomenon occurs when single-celled plankton called dinoflagellates spark a chemical reaction to frighten predators, lure food, or attract mates. Blue Waters Kayaking, Tomales Bay Expeditions, and Napa Valley Paddle offer bioluminescent kayak tours. Moonless nights might offer your best chance of seeing the sea sparkle when stirred up by waves, fish, or splashing paddles.

Southern California 

Snorkel in a kelp forest. 

Sometimes called the “sequoias of the sea,” towering kelp forests support a stunning array of marine animals, many of which are most active after dark. On Catalina Island, Diving Catalina offers nocturnal snorkeling excursions in Casino Point Dive Park, famous for its clear waters and biodiversity. As you swim, LED dive lights reveal octopuses, lobsters, eels, and colorful fish like orange garibaldis and pink and black sheephead weaving through the swaying seaweed.

Ride a horse by moonlight. 

In Death Valley, the full moon illuminates white salt flats and sandscapes in a pearlescent sheen, making it an ideally bright place for the rare experience of riding a horse at night. From late October through April, Furnace Creek Stables guides one-hour moonlit equine adventures in the national park. Atop your steed, you can bask in purple mountain majesty at dusk, then watch your moon shadow ripple over the desert.

Montana 

Paddle a glow-in-the-dark kayak. 

By day, Whitefish—a gateway to Glacier National Park—makes a prime jumping off point for hiking, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting. But after dusk, this charming town of roughly 8,000 isn’t exactly Times Square. So Rocky Mountain Glass Kayak Company stepped in to offer a soothing, magical evening excursion. Starting around sunset, you’ll paddle transparent kayaks trimmed with blue, green, or purple LED lights along the Whitefish River to Whitefish Lake. When darkness falls, the lights gleam into the underwater world as local guides regale you with the history and hidden gems of Whitefish.

Nevada 

Explore (and fly over) a neon boneyard. 

As Las Vegas has retired many of its neon signs and shifted toward cheaper and more energy-efficient LED lights, the classic bright, buzzing tubes have become objects of nostalgia. Luckily, at The Neon Museum’s outdoor “boneyard,” you can wander among 28 electrified neon signs, plus 250 unrestored neon signs illuminated by ground lighting. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of Sin City’s Strip through its signage. For a bonanza of bright lights, the museum’s Neon Night Flight Spectacular tour combines a helicopter ride over the scintillating city, a guided tour of the neon boneyard, and Brilliant! Jackpot, a 360-degree augmented reality experience that reanimates the museum’s signs.

Utah 

Light up your nights with moonlit hikes.

Free or low-cost after-hours adventures abound in Utah’s state parks. Rangers lead full moon hikes amid the otherworldly hoodoos of Goblin Valley, the swirling sandstone canyons of Dead Horse Point, the sandy shore of Great Salt Lake, and much more. These landscapes transform under the moonglow, becoming more serene yet charged with life from nocturnal creatures like ringtails, kangaroo rats, snakes, and kit foxes. At several state parks, astronomy enthusiasts regularly lead Star Parties, featuring telescope viewing and constellation identification.

Wyoming

Stargaze in the Teton Mountains.

This year, Teton County—including the area around Jackson—became the world’s first county to earn Dark Sky Community status. Thanks to these obsidian skies, Wyoming Stargazing brings the celestial world to the public with activities for all budgets. Every clear Thursday night, the nonprofit hosts free telescope stargazing at Rendezvous Park in Jackson Hole. In summer and early fall, the organization guides small-group tours to remote spots in Grand Teton National Park to glimpse planets, galaxies, and more. For a splurge, they offer eight-hour sunset wildlife safari and stargazing tours in Grand Teton.